Episode 4

♪ ♪ PETER: It seems I do not have two daughters, I have three.

Maybe I would have more confidence in your advice if the prime minister hadn't found out almost as soon as I did.

LUKE: Charmian Pepper's dead.

She had just met a woman who was willing to confirm Peter Laurence's stay in Washington.

NADIA (on recording): Officially, he was paid half a million dollars.

DAWN: British weapons killed three British NGOs.

We'll need a diversion.

Good.

Every politician expects to be prime minister.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Julia!

Have you seen this?

Tell me what it is.

Tomorrow's press digest.

Then I've seen it.

What the hell?

How did this happen?

I have no idea.

That email was private.

I drafted it, remember?

Did you keep a copy?

It was sent on your private account to the chair of the British Defence Group-- no copies.

Then how has it been leaked to the press, Julia?

"I assure you, Trevor, whatever noises I make in public, "I will always defend the long-term interests of the British Defence Group."

Well?

What can I say, Prime Minister?

It's that word, "noises."

Yes.

Did you choose it?

You approved it.

That's not what I asked.

It makes me sound like a total hypocrite, saying one thing in public and another in private.

And I rang Trevor, I got him out of bed.

He said no one else has read it on the British Defence Group.

He even deleted it-- that's what he said.

That leaves one possibility.

(furiously): Someone has leaked it from Downing Street!

Now I am looking at you, Julia!

I am looking you straight in the eye!

Prime Minister, I don't have children, so I can't swear on their lives, but ask yourself, why would I do such a thing?

It wasn't me.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (prison door buzzing and closing) ♪ ♪ (flips switch) ♪ ♪ (flipping switches) (door shuts) Okay, so now I think I know who your mother must be.

I'm sure you've done your research.

Can't imagine you'd be here if you hadn't done background.

You're Bella Gayle's daughter.

Correct.

(mumbling): Do you wanna... How is she?

Not very happy about this meeting.

When did she tell you who I was?

I had to fight pretty hard to get it out of her.

She never wanted to say.

She was a determined woman.

Still is.

She was principled.

Even so, that's a hell of a thing to do, to raise a child without telling her who her father is.

I thought so.

I never had the slightest inkling that you existed.

I think that's also part of the reason why she never really wanted to contact you.

I wish she had.

Do you really?

I mean, would you have helped?

Would you have taken me on at the time?

That's a difficult question.

Why, would you have wanted me aborted?

Rose... No, really, I'm asking you.

I was a different man.

Right, is that a nice way of saying yes?

I was ambitious.

And it wouldn't have made any difference, anyway, would it?

Bella would have got what she wanted.

She always did.

(chuckles) Hm.

I know this is the question I'm not supposed to ask, but why did you do it?

Why did you rob the bank?

You make it sound very romantic.

Why did you defraud the bank, if that's less romantic?

I was a high-flyer.

Fraud's quite common-- it's more common than anyone knows.

High Street banks try to cover it up.

They don't want their customers to realize how easy it is.

But in my case, they decided to prosecute.

Why in your case?

Because they disliked me.

And I stole a little bit more, so...

I didn't want to give you my name when we first got in touch.

I thought maybe you'd remember the case and it might put you off.

I'd read the coverage, and I thought it was pretty racist.

Yeah.

"Who'd have thought a woman of color would be clever enough to steal that much?"

So what was your reason?

The people at the top of the bank were taking great big bonuses.

Just reaching their hands into clients' money and calling it a salary.

So it was a protest?

No, it wasn't a protest.

I just fancied proving something.

Proving what, exactly?

Proving that I was cleverer than them.

From what I've read, you like doing that, too.

And you?

Me?

Yeah, what should I know about you?

Then or now?

Both.

Uh, well, for many years, I, um...

I used to buy the papers from your mother every morning.

Yeah, Mum said.

And I found myself just lingering longer and longer every day.

Because I realized that Bella was probably going to be the most interesting person I met that day.

And that's how we started.

(phone vibrates) Wait, you're meant to give your phone in.

I'm the minister of Justice.

(chuckles) Sorry, I've kept you too long, haven't I?

Don't be silly, you haven't kept me.

Does that mean that you'll visit again?

How much longer are you supposed to be in here?

It's about two years, I think.

Well, if I get parole.

This place is a dump.

My friend has just died because a guard couldn't work a defibrillator properly.

She hadn't been trained, because everything here is about money.

They want to punish us on the cheap, and I want my father to do something about it.

I promise you I'll do one thing: I will come back and I will not let you down.

That's two things.

Yeah.

(chuckles) Can I ask you something else?

Yeah.

Will you own up to me?

(breathes deeply) That is something I have to decide.

Hey, Vanessa.

You sent for me?

Yes.

The minister's been making unscheduled visits.

I'm sorry?

You haven't put them in the diary.

He's been going to Shephill to see a woman called Rose Dietl-- do you know who that is?

It's not my business to know.

(chuckling): Joy...

The Civil Service accepts that new ministers expect to bring fresh blood with them when they arrive.

But new blood needs to meet old blood halfway.

(footsteps approaching) Am I interrupting?

Not at all.

Minister.

Excuse me.

I don't mean to disturb you, Vanessa, but I'm just looking over the draft of my new bill, and I'm confused.

Everything I really care about, the early parole and the alternatives to incarceration...

Yes...

It's not there.

It's just dropped off-- I don't know if I'm missing some pages, or do I detect your hand in this?

Minister, I know how deeply you feel about prison reform.

Indeed I do.

But I think it's foolish to draft provisions which have no chance of becoming legislation.

Isn't that for me to decide?

This ministry takes a certain professional pride in ensuring that our proposals are thought through, practical, destined to end up on the statute book.

I don't see those proposals coming into that particular category.

I'm worried that you may be working on... emotion.

Is that such a bad thing?

In this context, yes.

If we lose faith in the idea of prison, we move into uncharted waters.

Dame Vanessa, I don't know if you've noticed, but the government is in uncharted waters.

Right now, we are looking at a no-confidence vote in the prime minister.

That is what I would call uncharted waters!

I think you have been over-affected by your visits to prisons.

There's an element of personal investment.

Oh, yes, possibly, and possibly for the better.

If there were more people in this place who actually had some intimate knowledge of what goes on inside prisons, we might make better decisions.

New policies have to be tested-- I am suggesting a pioneering trial in one or two prisons only... No!

So that we see the effect, so that there is an evidential basis... No!

On which any possible innovation may be based.

And we make changes that any of your possible successors will be able to defend.

"Possible successors"?

I see what's going on.

It's foolish for civil servants not to make provision for the future.

A future that in your case, Dame Vanessa, you devoutly desire.

Let me tell you, there is a reason why this country has never moved into the 21st century, and it's called the Civil Service!

I am aware of your view, you've made that plain.

Anytime any minister comes into office with any trace of passion or a serious idea for change, there you are in the best traditions of your calling, ready to throw a wet blanket over anything that might improve people's lives!

Restore the missing clauses to the bill!

That's an order!

Is there anything else?

Yes.

I've had a visit and a couple of calls from the director of Shephill.

She seems to believe you have a relative in her prison.

Really?

And how is that any business of yours?

Thank you, Minister.

No, thank you.

♪ ♪ How's your boss?

DUNCAN: Bewildering.

He was furious with me for pursuing his daughter.

Now he's met her, he seems full of beans.

Why?

I've no idea.

And does he thank me for getting them together?

(blows through lips): Does he buggery.

For the first time ever, I feel like he's drifting away from me, and I don't know why.

He's up to something.

What about yours?

Rattled-- she doesn't know which way to jump.

Mind you, she thinks it's gonna blow over.

And is it?

Oh, ask me again in a week.

♪ ♪ PETER: Mr. De Banzie's asked if we can go in round the back.

SYDNEY: Of course.

Any reason?

Reason?

Why do you ask?

No, I just wondered, sir.

HOSTESS: They're just over there.

Right, thank you.

DE BANZIE: Peter.

Adam.

Good to see you.

You know Trevor's joining us.

No, I did not, but I'm always happy to see Trevor.

PETER: How are you?

TREVOR: Peter.

Well, it seems like your tormentor is dead.

The journalist, Charmian Pepper.

Yes, yes, I read about that in the papers.

I was quite taken aback.

Do we know anything more?

Do we need to?

Well, she was still pursuing me.

In spite of losing the case, she was still after me.

Well, she's not anymore.

No.

Did you know she was in Washington?

Did we?

I don't remember.

Look, Peter, you once told me your motto.

What was my motto?

"Always put the past behind you."

That's what you said-- you've lived by that.

Yes, her death is tragic.

But for you, it might be a stroke of luck.

That's all you need to know.

TREVOR: She was a drunk.

Even before she died, we made a decision.

We should have done it weeks ago, actually, after the trial... We've decided to close down British-American.

Mm.

We had a board meeting yesterday by conference call.

We decided to make a clean cut.

It's served its purpose.

The staff are being let go.

All of them, that's, that's necessary, is it?

Or else we wouldn't have done it, would we?

But what's the thinking here?

You're not worried that shutting it down now might draw more attention, rather than less?

No, it'll be done quietly.

Your trial caused a lot of unwelcome publicity.

We've kept British-American under the radar for years.

And suddenly we're seeing the name in print, and the board didn't like it.

But you'll start up another think tank.

Eventually.

Different name, different personnel, same philosophy.

Get the U.S. and the U.K. as close as we can.

TREVOR: It's a great shame, though, isn't it-- I mean, we had good times, didn't we?

(chuckles): Some very good times.

(laughs) Sure, I was in Washington, of course I was, arguing from deep experience that the only way the NHS is going to survive is by bringing in private expertise.

Opening it up is sensible and humane.

It's gonna save lives.

But of course, I'm not allowed to say that.

So, yeah, I lied in court.

DE BANZIE: That's life.

I can talk about privatization, you can't.

(chuckles) DE BANZIE: As I remember, you took your money through a company called Stanfield Titles, is that right?

Yes.

In the Virgin Islands?

Yes.

You need to wind that up, too, as soon as you can.

Adam, I haven't used that company in years.

It's virtually defunct.

Good, so get rid of "virtually."

TREVOR: Now, I take it you've seen Dawn's contribution to today's news?

In disbelief.

How could she have done something so stupid?

TREVOR: She's weak, she panics.

We always knew that about her.

She got carried away.

Straight choice to make between being strong or being liked.

She made the wrong choice.

But even so, sending such a stupid email?

That's what I'm saying, pure panic.

If I can't get export licenses for fighter jets, then I choke to death.

And Britain chokes with me.

What are you saying?

You leaked the email?

As a matter of fact, not.

But you know who did.

Oh, Peter, we don't give a damn who the prime minister is, we really don't, as long as whoever it is lets us get on with our work.

You look a bit uncertain, Peter.

No, it's, it's nothing.

If the three of us can't speak frankly after all we've done for each other, then who can?

Well, there is something I should warn you about.

Oh, go on.

It's a technical thing, but I put Stanfield Titles in my wife's name.

So, if I'm going to wind it up, I'm gonna need Helen's signature.

Well, there's no reason why that should be a problem, is there?

♪ ♪ ALISHA: Joe, have you seen?

Oh, yep.

The shark's in the swimming pool.

Did you know she was coming?

(scoffs) Fish her out before she does any damage.

Joe.

LAPIDUS: Gillian.

We see you so rarely.

(clears throat): Would you like to come through and talk to us?

I should like that very much.

(Lapidus clears throat, exhales) Just clear this... LAPIDUS: Right, uh... (clears throat) You, uh, down from Scotland?

LADY ROCHE: Yes, I came overnight.

And I'm going back this evening.

The trains are terrible.

LAPIDUS: Yeah, yes.

We've, uh, mentioned it in the paper.

That's kind.

(clears throat softly) Is there anything in particular?

The decision to return to the Peter Laurence business?

Well, we're not returning to it.

Really?

No, we're developing it.

Taking it to a new level.

You ran a story about his daughter.

We did.

Taking drugs in Leeds.

Yes, the pictures were newsworthy, she's over 18, they are of legitimate public interest.

It's the subject of a complaint to the body for press regulation.

(chuckles) With respect, I'm not trembling at that prospect.

Well, perhaps you should be.

I've spoken to friends.

Which friends are they?

The consensus is, we look small and vengeful.

We look like bad losers.

We've lost to Peter Laurence in court.

To our friends, it doesn't look like journalism, it looks like a vendetta.

I think I should inform you of our plans.

We have new information with which we hope we can fight the court's verdict.

Exactly, that's my point-- we're fighting everything.

At a loss, so far, of one-and-a-half million pounds.

Well, that's my point-- we're trying to get our money back.

Our money?

(clears throat): Yours, Gillian.

Before she died, Charmian Pepper interviewed an ex-employee of British-American.

Do I really need to hear this?

Hasn't that unfortunate girl caused us enough grief?

The witness confirmed that Laurence was indeed in Washington when he claims to have been in New York.

Now, he got paid for facilitating access for American private health providers to the NHS.

He'd been a junior minister at Health.

He sold his expertise.

I see.

We have it on tape-- we collected the recording after Charmian's death.

If it's as conclusive as you say, why have you not published it?

I'd like to know.

We're having to tread carefully.

Our lawyers and insurance company are being unnecessarily cautious after what happened last time.

ALISHA: We're also doing background on his time as a landlord.

There are big questions as to some of the things that went on in his properties.

So if you can't get him on one thing, you'll go after him for another.

Honestly, it's not like that.

LADY ROCHE: No, isn't it?

You could be endangering the future of this newspaper because of an obsession.

We think of it as investigative journalism.

Always with the same target.

We look small, Joe.

I very rarely interfere in editorial policy, but I do not want to be known as a proprietor who carries a grudge.

We are at the point of confirming Charmian Pepper's original story.

That issue was settled, in court!

If you go on with this, I shall have no alternative!

Alternative to what?

Please don't make me spell it out.

I hope I've made myself clear.

I hate unpleasantness.

Well?

(sniffs) There'll be no unpleasantness.

Good.

♪ ♪ Every day I wake up and read your paper.

I know.

Well?

That's why I wanted to see you.

So I could, uh, tell you.

We've hit an unforeseen problem.

Is that hers?

I'm sorry.

Does this mean you're not going to publish?

We're not.

(sighs): Look, my advice is... Take it elsewhere.

Oh, yes!

I can get disbarred for this, and now you want me to go and trust someone like I trusted you.

I've got the names written down here.

Just a couple of editors I think might take it.

I had a visit.

What sort of visit?

From my proprietor.

She told me this is not something I am to pursue.

Why not?

She's lost a lot of money already.

She doesn't want to lose any more.

Is that the real reason?

She likes choral music, she thinks Helen Laurence is a nice woman.

Maybe she wants Helen's husband to be prime minister.

Someone got to her-- take your pick.

She's a Scottish aristocrat.

Who knows what the hell goes on in her head?

She stopped you?

She stopped me under threat of losing my job, that's how it is.

♪ ♪ Your receipt.

Have a nice day.

Thank you!

I don't believe it.

Hello, Bella.

You've seen her.

Yes, I have.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but I wonder if you could do me a selfie?

PETER: Well, actually, I've just got to have a quick chat with a friend of mine.

Oh, right, yes, sorry to have bothered you.

PETER: No, no, no, it's fine, it's fine, you're welcome.

You're popular.

I never thought this day would come.

You were never gonna tell me.

Why not?

Because I wasn't sure you'd be a good father.

That hurts.

I wasn't sure you'd even admit to her.

You have a dim view of me.

And I've had a long time to think about it.

I wanted to be responsible for my own life, not depend on a man.

Come on, give me a drag.

Are you sure?

I only do this with you.

She was doing really well.

A good education.

I was proud of her.

(exhales): Then she... blew up, and I don't know why.

She had everything anyone could ever want, but she still got angry.

I did my best, but I couldn't control her.

I saw her.

And I liked her, genuinely.

If I go public, Bella, we're gonna be naked in a hurricane, all three of us.

It's you who's well-known.

Yeah, but I'm used to it, you're not.

The press would be all over you-- it's brutal, I promise.

You'd do that for her?

You'd risk your career for her?

Peter Laurence, if you let her down at this point, I am never going to forgive you.

You'll be joining a queue.

You do this properly, or not at all.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (jazz music playing) (outer door closes) The door was open.

After three years, I've developed a sort of psychic gift.

I'm hoping it's going to stay with me.

I can sense when you're in the area-- close it.

I'm sorry I haven't been in touch.

(door closes) I was shaken by what happened.

And you think I wasn't?

I was appalling.

I apologize.

I was rattled that night.

Sure.

You don't seem surprised.

Here.

It's the one you like.

You know how sometimes you happen to catch sight of yourself in the mirror when you're not expecting it, and you go, "Who on Earth is that?"

Maybe that's what happened to me the other night.

"Who's that ridiculous woman?"

You are not ridiculous.

I gave up a perfectly good job in Texas.

Madeleine, I'm, I'm sorry, I...

I don't know what you're getting at.

I don't have a trace of self-pity, I just know it's time for us to stop.

(chuckling): No, no, there's no need.

That's what I came round to say.

I can handle this.

I promise, it's not a problem.

Isn't it?

Madeleine, we can go on.

And I don't want to go on.

If you look at it my way, you could say I used you.

I needed you to put me back together when I lost my son.

But now, if I'm to survive, I need to move on.

Madeleine, I love you.

You say that now it's over.

I'd say gather up your things, but you don't really have any, do you?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ DUNCAN: What does she want with you this time?

Pretty soon you're going to find out.

Contain your excitement.

But since she's gotten herself in a bloody great hole, I imagine she's gonna want me to dig her out of it.

REPORTER: Will you be supporting the prime minister?

(reporters clamoring) Ah, good, the prime minister's waiting.

We came as fast as we could.

No, we didn't-- we didn't run.

The prime minister knows Justice is eight minutes away.

DAWN (calling): You can come in.

You can also give me an explanation.

No, you go on ahead-- I'll see you later.

♪ ♪ PETER: Dawn, I would love to explain.

If you can tell me what I'm meant to be explaining.

Peter, I'll put it bluntly.

I promoted you-- any prominence you have is entirely down to me.

Not entirely.

So let me ask you, why are you not out there fighting to save my premiership?

Oh, I see.

Things are going that badly, are they?

Usually you can't get enough publicity.

You and the limelight are in some kind of permanent romance.

Now, for the first time in years, you've fallen silent.

I heard you on Alltalk.

Your support for me was less than whole-hearted.

You think so?

Maybe I misjudged my tone.

I'm facing a confidence motion.

From Stinking Bishop.

Yes.

Surely you don't take him seriously.

He's a piece of ripe Tory gammon.

But he's gaining votes fast, and you're saying nothing.

I'm not saying nothing.

You're standing on the sidelines.

JULIA: The prime minister's requesting more vocal support.

Yeah, I got that, thank you.

I make one small error of judgment.

A private message, that's all-- I was tired, I was fatigued, it was a moment's inattention, viciously leaked from I don't know where.

And I'm facing a confidence motion-- you... Me?

You're up to your neck in... You lawyer your way out of the libel courts, by the skin of your teeth.

"High-wire" doesn't do it-- more like Houdini.

You were for sale, or near as dammit, and you pay no price for it.

Why?

How does that work out?

Do we put it down to misogyny?

Could be-- could also be down to character.

Character?

Yeah.

Yours or mine?

You were always respected as a cautious leader.

That was your strength.

So when you did something careless, people got unreasonably angry.

You just spoke about me like I was in the past tense.

I didn't mean to.

Can I warn you, Peter?

Lately I've been briefed about your private life.

Please go on.

Specifically, about your family.

What about my family?

About how it's larger than anyone had hitherto known.

Larger?

If you're talking about my unacknowledged daughter...

I am.

Her existence is not exactly news to you.

My impression is that you've known for some time, almost as long as I have.

Just an instinct, I could be wrong, but...

Yes, I have recently discovered that I have a third child.

In prison.

Yes, she's had some bad luck in her life.

Bad luck?

She swindled a bank.

She was trying to walk away with a million pounds.

How is that bad luck?

She was angry.

What has she got to be angry about?

Believe me, in the unlikely event that I lose this confidence vote, I shall do everything in my power to ensure that whoever is my successor showed me loyalty throughout.

Now I very much doubt you want the public to know about Rose Ditel.

Dietl.

But if she is the unlucky victim that you make her out to be, I suggest for her sake, as well as your own, you think very carefully about it.

So, Peter, do I have your support?

You have it.

Good.

Julia tells me you're going to be on Prebble tonight.

Julia is well-informed.

Always.

Well, I shall be watching and I shall expect to be pleased in what I see.

You should be campaigning for me, unreservedly.

Is that understood?

(door opens) ♪ ♪ (door closes) REPORTER: Do you think the prime minister can survive this?

(reporters clamoring, cameras clicking) Broadcasting House.

♪ ♪ So what was that about?

What happened?

I'll tell you later.

One thing at a time.

Hello there, hello!

WOMAN: Nice to meet you, Peter!

Nice to see you.

How are you, how are you?

(chuckles): Yes.

SIAN (voiceover): Good evening, tonight I am speaking with the secretary of state for Justice, Peter Laurence.

Good evening, Sian.

Good evening, Minister.

So, I'll start off with: do you think it's possible for the prime minister to win a vote of confidence in the House of Commons?

Of course it is.

The rules are obscure.

She may prefer to hold a leadership election within the party.

To be honest, I haven't discussed the choice with her.

And would you yourself be interested in standing?

(chuckles) We are nowhere near that, nowhere near.

I'm getting on with the work of my department.

And of course, I've let the prime minister know that she has my full support.

SIAN (on TV): You do seem to be setting about the job at Justice with an axe.

Oh, well, I wouldn't say an axe.

I would hope it's more targeted, more forensic than that-- gardening shears, maybe.

(chuckles) Some people have charged you with caring more about the criminal than you do about the victim.

That is quite ridiculous.

It is true that I am constantly shocked by the squandering of human potential.

And that's something I know a little bit about, from my own experience.

And what experience is that?

I have some... personal knowledge of what goes on in British prisons.

You mean, beyond your professional responsibility?

Yes.

I have not spoken about this before, but I have a daughter who is serving a sentence, right now, in jail.

In fact, in Shephill.

And I have only recently discovered that she's...

Uh, well, let's say that I had no knowledge of her existence.

Finding out about her has been one of the best things that's ever happened in my life.

Many years ago, I had a child that I knew nothing about.

Her name is Rose, and she and I are now reconciled.

SIAN: And she... is a prisoner?

Correct.

(bellowing): Julia!

SIAN (on TV): Most people, I think, will be astonished by your revelation... What the hell is this?

...and wonder whether you've been forced to make it.

All of this is completely voluntary.

I'm saying it because I want to.

He wants to get it out of the way before he makes his move for the leadership.

Is that what he's thinking?

With Peter, you never know.

PETER (on TV): Of course, I am fully aware that this will cause a great deal of hurt to my family and those around me.

I am the guilty one here, there's no question about that.

There's also no point in pretending that my daughter committed a small crime.

She didn't, she committed a big one.

And does it worry you at all, the effect that this admission may have on your political career?

You use that word "admission."

That many people within your party... No, but you're making it sound as if this is someone I should be ashamed of.

I don't mean that you should, however...

I am not ashamed, in fact, quite the opposite.

I'm proud; I'm proud of my daughter.

(on TV): I'm proud that she exists.

This is the 21st century-- I think people understand that we don't all live faultless lives.

I've made terrible mistakes and I have paid for them.

But my daughter is not a mistake.

And just to be clear, I am saying this now because she wants me to.

And I think it's about time that she was listened to.

(crying) PETER: For many years, she's lived a shadow existence, in a good home with a good mother.

But now, I want my daughter to be part of my life.

Thank you, Minister.

Thank you.

The game's in play-- what's the verdict?

First impression, Twitter's kind of 60-40.

Well, which-- for or against?

For.

You see?

"Brave and honest," "incredible television," uh, "iconic moment," "terrific courage," "I always thought he was a prick and now I'm sure of it."

"Patriarchal swine."

I told you it would work!

Joy's on this stuff all night, we'll see how it goes.

It's only gonna get better, you watch.

(reporters clamoring) ♪ ♪ Well, what happened?

You said you were going to the paper.

Are you cross-examining me?

It's all about his daughter, that's all there is.

Everywhere!

Yep.

How he's got this daughter he didn't know about?

Well, that could work either way, for him or against him, but one thing's for sure: no one's talking about anything else.

Did the paper not hear the tape?

Yeah, they heard it.

So, when are they publishing?

Luke, I've got a conscience of my own.

I don't need anybody else to do the job.

♪ ♪ Thank you.

You're welcome.

(dishes, glasses clinking) Mrs. Laurence, this is very kind of you.

Oh, it's nothing.

Look, I might be a poor judge of character, but...

I was surprised when you agreed to have lunch.

I'm not often in town.

It's so sad they've modernized this place.

It was the last decent lunch spot in London.

Really-- I've never been here before.

Oh, I thought barristers specialized in long lunches.

No, we, uh, we grab a sandwich and cram facts for the afternoon.

Oh, I am surprised.

Thank you-- yeah, it's one of, one of the most common misunderstandings about us.

One of them?

What's the other?

Oh, that we're cynical and completely uncaring about the truth.

I never felt that.

And that we defend people that we know are guilty.

In fact, we never do that-- it's unethical.

Is that why you never ask?

(chuckles) Mrs. Laurence, I think you and I got on reasonably well, didn't we?

Yeah, I think so.

I hope I did a professional job.

You won.

Yes.

Is that what you mean by professional?

(chuckles) You were courteous and calm.

You had to be patient, I knew that.

I'd never been in a witness box.

You did very well.

Mm, thank you-- you rehearsed me.

Yes.

Thoroughly.

Juries like witnesses that aren't too certain.

If you're overly sure of yourself, they begin to suspect you.

You said you were in New York.

Yes.

Shopping.

I said I was shopping.

Yes, and you went to see a show.

Yes.

On Broadway, together.

"The Book of Mormon."

You mentioned the Rainbow Room.

That's right.

For cocktails.

The Empire State.

Yes.

The fact that you couldn't quite remember everything in the exact detail, that added to the impression of honesty.

An impression?

(light chuckle) Please, um, tell me what this is about.

Now, Helen, as far as I was concerned, this was just another case.

High-profile, yes, but legally unexceptional.

But now it's different, because one of the parties is a senior government minister and another has been killed.

Do you know that for sure?

What I'm saying, it was one thing to help Peter with an alibi when reputations were at stake.

But now it's lives.

If you don't believe the journalist died accidentally, then you should prove it.

Helen, I don't think you've wholly understood just how serious this stuff is.

I've understood perfectly.

But I'll tell you one thing: if I do betray a man I've been with for 30 years, it won't be because a professional advocate took me to a posh lunch.

It will be what I decide for myself.

(sighs) (prison door buzzes) Is... Can I do this?

(laughs) Have you read it?

No-- is it any good?

Yeah, it is, pretty good.

Thank you.

I watched the TV.

Yeah, that was the point.

I was talking to you.

How was my mum?

Well, you know your mother.

She gave me a hard time.

Yeah.

I can't believe when I get out, I'm gonna have a dad.

I hope I'll see you before then.

Good-- you know where I am.

Yeah.

Is it, are we allowed to, to kiss?

On the cheek, sir, but no hand contact.

♪ ♪ (car doors open and shut) (car alarm chirps) ♪ ♪ Mum's upstairs-- she's waiting for you.

You know, maybe once I'd like you to go on television and tell your adoring public just how much you love your other two daughters.

The two you had with your wife.

Lily... You're selfish.

You're utterly selfish.

You've got the talk, my God, you've got the talk.

You've got it all worked out, just how the people around you never stop suffering.

(classical music playing) (music stops) You know what's odd about getting old?

You're the same person and yet you're not.

Are you talking about you or me?

I married a furniture salesman, I didn't a prime minister.

Now, hold on, that is a long way off.

The whole country's still talking about Rose Dietl.

I know perfectly well, that's just you getting the subject out of the way.

Believe it or not, it was also me trying to give Rose a life.

There are two things in play.

And the other thing you aiming for Downing Street.

Were you planning to talk to me about that?

Helen, of course, I'll talk to you.

And the journalist that was killed?

I know nothing about that.

I didn't even know she was in Washington.

Really, well, if I looked into your eyes, would I be able to tell anymore?

(sighs) You talk all the time about freedom.

But is freedom really the ultimate good?

Helen... Is it?

Compared with loyalty?

We started out together and we will end up together.

You know that, you've always known that.

And the prime minister, that is a long journey.

There's weeks ahead, and so many things that can go wrong.

Nobody becomes leader by right.

Well, on the other hand... (chuckles) Good.

Oh, by the way, I've got something I need you to sign.

(keys jangling) It won't take a moment, I'll just leave it with you.

HELEN: What is it?

PETER: It's the ownership of Stanfield Titles.

If you remember, it's in your name.

Why am I signing?

I'm dissolving it-- it's just a technicality.

(Julia sighs) So, can't wait for tomorrow.

DUNCAN: No.

She knows it's over-- by this time tomorrow, your man's gonna be making his move.

Do you have any idea who leaked the email?

I don't believe it.

It came from you?

Yes.

But you did yourself out of a job.

Not quite.

The party chairman, Adam De Banzie, spoke to me.

Why De Banzie?

Well, if he gets in, Peter's going to keep me on.

I'm just jumping rafts.

Adam De Banzie does not run the government.

Doesn't he?

Gosh, my mistake.

♪ ♪ Good morning, Minister.

(all greeting) Good morning, everyone.

Obviously clear all commitments.

We start planning from here.

Of course.

How are the papers?

I haven't seen them.

Horrible-- but less horrible than yesterday.

And even less horrible than the day before.

So you're saying that in ten days, they might be positively pleasant?

It's usually ten days.

Listen, Joy, wherever we're going, I want you to come with me.

Thank you, that makes me so happy.

Just doesn't feel right without you.

Good.

Right, better start plotting the day.

Peter, sorry, I haven't liked to ask.

I've rather assumed.

If you are going to Downing Street, I am coming with you, presumably.

Hey, hey, hey, let's not jump ahead.

I don't want to jinx it.

This is just the start of the campaign.

It's a long way to go.

No, it's just, I was speaking to Julia, and she did mention...

Mention what?

That someone had a word with her already.

Yeah?

You should probably take that up with her.

PETER: Shut the door.

(closes firmly) ♪ ♪ MICK (voiceover): Peter Laurence is with us, and of course, we're all worried it could be for the last time.

I wouldn't say that.

That's, that's all in the hands of my colleagues.

I'd never try and prejudge a vote.

Let's just say, if you don't make it to Downing Street tonight, a lot of us are going to lose a lot of money-- we've all been down the betting shop.

(chuckles): I am very touched by that.

Only eight weeks ago, Dawn Ellison was looking at a clear blue sky.

Now she's history-- how quickly did that happen?

PETER: Oh, I think politics in the 21st century, it's more volatile.

Things move faster, that's a fact, that's just the world we're living in.

Personally, it doesn't frighten me.

I find that exciting.

And more important, if I'm lucky enough to make it into Downing Street, I will enter it unencumbered and beholden to no one.

MICK: Do you think that things can keep on changing at this pace?

Because, from the outside, from where I'm looking at it, I don't know how you lot keep up.

We don't have to be politicians-- no one forces us.

We do it because we want to.

MICK: I'm sure you do, Peter, I am sure you do.

♪ ♪ Well, we did say this one was full of surprises.

This one?

Peter Laurence.

Did we?

Oh, yes.

♪ ♪ Hey, you're back.

How did it go?

(scoffs) It looks like you're gonna be the prime minister's daughter.

Yeah, I'll just have to put up with it, won't I?

Sure.

Oh, come on, is it really that bad?

(indistinct chatter) If you think it'll make any difference, now we know who your father is... (sighs) I know it won't.

But it's making a difference to me.

It's always been a position of trust, hasn't it, Sydney?

SYDNEY: Sorry, sir?

Driver to the prime minister.

After all, you couldn't be closer.

No, sir.

It works both ways, doesn't it?

You know everything about me, but on the other hand, I know a lot about you.

I don't quite know what you mean, sir.

I mean, I'm not quite as stupid as I look.

♪ ♪ (reporters clamoring, cameras clicking) Good afternoon.

All my life, I have refused to be weighed down by the past.

I believe in the future and I believe in freedom, I really do.

By all means, judge me by my results, but today at least I can tell you my intention.

I will do anything-- anything-- to set my country free.

Thank you.

(reporters clamoring) (applause) Hello, hello.

Hello... Hello, nice to see you.

Goodness me, goodness me, look at this.

Bravo!

This... Good to see you...

This is my wife, Helen.

♪ ♪ (door closes) What's this?

Stanfield Titles.

(unfolds paper) I'd hoped you'd signed it.

Well, obviously not.

I'll be upstairs if you need me; see you later.

(door opens and shuts) ♪ ♪ (sighs) ♪ ♪ (knock at door, door opens) (footsteps) Prime Minister.

♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Go to our website, listen to our podcast, watch video, and more.

To order this program, visit ShopPBS.

"Masterpiece" is available on PBS Passport and on Amazon Prime Video.

♪ ♪